Becoming a Member

The American Academy of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons (AACMFS) is a select group of academic and hospital-based surgeons with demonstrable interest and achievement in the following general areas: head and neck surgery and oncology; reconstructive maxillofacial surgery; craniomaxillofacial trauma; sleep apnea surgery; and pediatric craniofacial surgery. Fellowship in the AACMFS is by invitation. Candidates for Fellowship in the Academy are nominated based upon their record of clinical scope of practice, research, and teaching in these areas.

The AACMFS was founded for the exchange of ideas and academic learning among those craniomaxillofacial surgeons who have dedicated their careers to academic or hospital-based practice. The Academy strives to encourage the continued performance of major hospital-based oral maxillofacial surgery. The organization provides a forum where exchange of information can occur and encourages the continued spread of knowledge. Furthermore, the AACMFS is an organization where mentorship and fellowship among like- minded surgeons can be experienced in an intimate setting.

“Active Fellow” is the primary membership category in the AACMFS. To be an active fellow, a candidate must be certi ed by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery or the Canadian equivalent, and must have practiced oral and maxillofacial surgery for at least two years after residency. The candidate’s practice must have a substantial portion of major, hospital-based surgical procedures and a one year case log is required with the application.

“Post Graduate Member” is a category that provides an avenue for early career surgeons interested in major surgery to become a part of the AACMFS before they are eligible for active fellowship. Post Graduate Membership is available upon completion of residency.

“Associate Fellow” is a non-voting membership category that allows for other surgical specialties, foreign colleagues and non-medical/surgical disciplines to join the Academy and attend meetings.

Three membership categories are assigned by the board to special individuals in the specialty and the Academy. “Emeritus Fellows” are active fellows who have retired from practice. “Honorary Fellows” are those who have had notable careers in craniomaxillofacial surgery but may otherwise be ineligible for active fellowship. “Distinguished Fellow” is a distinction given an individual who has contributed greatly to the specialty and the AACMFS.

If you are interested in becoming an Active Fellow or Post Graduate Member of the AACMFS, please contact a current Active Fellow (see membership on our website) to request sponsorship from that individual. Your sponsor will contact the AACMFS and application materials will be sent to you. Your sponsor can help you with the application if needed. He or she will also send a letter of recommendation to the Board. Upon receipt of your application materials, the Board of Directors will review your application materials, and if approved, you will be nominated by the board. You will be voted on by the Active Fellows at the next annual meeting.

Steps for Application:

The Sponsor should email the name and email address of the candidate to the AACMFS Executive Secretary, Julie Kneedler at julie@AACMFS.org

An application will be sent to the candidate.

The candidate must electronically submit a completed application, CV and case log to the corporate office ( julie@AACMFS.org).

Once the application is returned, it will be forwarded to the Executive Committee for review.

When approved by the Executive Committee, the application is sent to the Board of Directors.

If the application is approved, the nominee is notified that they have met the criteria and are invited to the AACMFS Annual Meeting.

All new nominees are presented to the full membership at the Annual Meeting.